Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’

golden dwarf hinoki cypress

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

Outstanding Qualities

A beautiful and dense growing dwarf conifer the glows brilliantly in the garden. Dwarf golden Hinoki cypress has delicate tiny fans of golden yellow foliage accented with tones of pale butter yellow. The interior foliage deepens to a rich dark green which makes the gold and yellow growth stand out even more. As the plant matures it will form a gracefully layered narrow pyramid. It is a perfect small specimen for the garden or as a container plant.

Quick Facts

Plant Type: conifer

Foliage Type: evergreen

Plant Height (10-year): 3 ft. 0 in. (0.91 meters)

Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 3 ft. 0 in. (0.91 meters)

Plant Height-Mature: 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 meters)

Plant Width-Mature: 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 to 8

Sun/Light Exposure: light to open shade

Water Requirements: drought tolerant when established

Culture Notes

This dwarf golden Hinoki cypress will grow best in light to open shade. It adapts to a variety of soils, from sandy sites to clay, provided the location is well-drained. Once established it is very drought tolerant, requiring little to no summer watering even during prolonged droughts. It requires very little pruning and heavy pruning can ruin its unique appearance. Only prune to remove dead, broken or poorly formed branches.